Chapter 119 Brother Xavier
"Brother Xavier!" Hera exclaimed, taking a step forward toward Xavier. Her mind darted back to the gutter upon spotting one of the male leads her mind preoccupied with the topic. Despite this distraction, she couldn’t resist giving Xavier a thorough once-over, as if studying every detail of his form from head to toe.
Xavier merely raised an eyebrow in response to Hera’s unabashed scrutiny. Had it been any other girl, he might have called attention to it, but he found Hera’s behavior rather amusing. It seemed she had finally taken the opportunity to give him a once-over.
But contrary to Hera and Xavier’s own thoughts, the other participants are all surprised to hear Hera call Xavier a little more intimately by addressing him ’Brother Xavier’ which he has shot down unceremoniously when it was other female celebrities who did that.
They are somehow waiting for Xavier to snap at Hera for trying to be intimate with him, they think that Hera had chosen to call him intimately right now so she could draw him to her side without fully knowing Xaveir’s history.
Minerva’s mocking smirk deepened as she heard Hera addressing Xavier in such a manner. Even she, Minerva, was not permitted to address him like that when her brother was one of Xavier’s close friends. "What gives Hera the audacity to do so? Just because they’re on the same team?" she scoffed inwardly.
As most participants anticipated Xavier reprimanding Hera for attempting intimacy by addressing him as "Brother Xavier," some male participants harbored jealousy toward Xavier for receiving such attention from her. Their jealousy intensified as Hera appeared pitiful and vulnerable. If given the chance, they would willingly leap into the fire to assist her in resolving the situation.
Just as they had rallied around Alice when she shed tears, it’s only natural for men to feel compelled to protect women. This instinct, combined with their visual nature, drives them to aid and defend those who appear vulnerable, particularly if they are also deemed beautiful. It’s an ingrained response to want to assist the most vulnerable and attractive woman in their midst when she displays signs of distress.
Hera effortlessly achieved this effect. While Alice cried openly like a child, Hera attempted to maintain her composure, appearing noble and composed despite being blamed. Given these contrasting displays, it was evident which woman these men would naturally be drawn to support.
Unfortunately for Alice, she underestimated Hera’s experience. Athena had meticulously trained Hera in handling such tactics years ago, rendering Alice, in Hera’s eyes, akin to a novice still learning the ropes.
As for Xavier, he decided to step inside, intending to grab a drink while awaiting Zen and Hera to come back. However, upon entering, he was met with a troubling sight: Hera being provoked by everyone around her. Anger coursed through him as he observed the telltale signs of Hera’s distress—her reddened eyes and nose—as she fought back tears. Despite her own emotional turmoil, she maintained a forced smile for Alice’s benefit, suppressing her own tears while attempting to comfort others.
As Xavier felt the fragile thread of his composure fray, Hera’s use of the term "Brother Xavier" elicited a tumultuous mix of emotions within him. A surge of happiness tinged with possessiveness washed over him momentarily. However, his reverie was abruptly interrupted as he met Hera’s gaze, her clear eyes glistening with tears at the corners. This sight swiftly grounded him, forcing him back to his senses.
Just as Xavier was about to act, Hera’s expression subtly shifted to one of appraising him as a man, catching him off guard. In response, he instinctively straightened his posture and puffed out his chest, albeit briefly. However, this momentary confidence dissipated as quickly as it came when Hera reverted to her vulnerable state.